Gifted Education facilitators Debbie Pellington and Dr. Lisa Huelskamp are pictured during Chip Challenge judging with Deputy Superintendent Mark Hershiser.
Sixth graders from advanced science classes in the Westerville City School District took part in the seventh annual Chip Challenge, a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) initiative. Teams of students were asked to design and test a container for shipping a single Pringles potato chip to Superintendent John Kellogg at the Early Learning Center. Upon arrival, the packages and the chip they contained were evaluated and scored. The goal was to design a package having the smallest volume and smallest mass, which protected the chip so it would arrive at its destination undamaged.
First place winners were Natalie Ma, Tera Berko, and Ben Mitchell from Walnut Springs Middle School (taught by Kim Neal). Second place went to Sam Hagan and Hansen Somuah from Heritage Middle School (taught by Mary Schade). Third place was earned by Ava Kellar, Mia Dailey, and Kaylee Amison from Blendon Middle School (taught by Jeffrey Murdock). Joe Simpson and James Ross from Genoa Middle School (taught by Carla Gilbert), came in fourth. The design challenge is supported by the Gifted Education Department.